Hot water train service system

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment, there is provided a train service system. The train service station includes a recirculating line having a water inlet for receiving water from a water supply into the recirculating line and a plurality of water outlets. Three or more of the water outlets are located within forty feet of a railroad track. The train service station also includes a heater heating the water in the recirculating line to between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and 195 degrees Fahrenheit. The train service station also includes three or more hoses connected to the three or more of the water outlets located within forty feet of the railroad track.

FIELD

The present application relates to trains and, more particularly, to a train service system and a method of servicing a train that uses hot water.

BACKGROUND

Trains operating in cold environments may collect ice or snow on various portions of the trains. It is sometimes necessary or desirable to service a train and the servicing of an iced-up train may involve removing at least some of the ice from the train. For example, in some instances, the ice from the train may be removed from the brakes of the train.

Existing train de-icing equipment relies upon steam to de-ice the train. More specifically, a system generates steam which may then be applied to ice on the train by an operator in order to melt the ice. Such systems have a number of disadvantages. For example, steam-based de-icing can be expensive to operate and install and can be slow to remove ice. Steam-based de-icing is also energy-inefficient and can be dangerous for an operator to use.

Thus, there is a need for improved train de-icing equipment and techniques that address one or more of the deficiencies of traditional de-icing equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show example embodiments of the present application, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a train services station in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a train service system installation in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 shows an example block diagram of electrical components of the train service system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Similar reference numerals may have been used in different figures to denote similar components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present application, there is provided a train service system. The train service station includes a recirculating line having a water inlet for receiving water from a water supply into the recirculating line and a plurality of water outlets. Three or more of the water outlets are located within forty feet of a railroad track. The train service station also includes a heater heating the water in the recirculating line to between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and 195 degrees Fahrenheit. The train service station also includes three or more hoses connected to the three or more of the water outlets located within forty feet of the railroad track.

In another embodiment, there is provided a heating unit for heating water in a recirculating line that distributes water within a train service system. The heating unit includes a heater including a line for carrying water. The heating unit also includes a temperature sensor receiving an ambient air temperature. The heating unit also includes a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and the heater. The controller is configured to control the heater based on the ambient air temperature. The controller is configured to maintain the water in the line in a substantially liquid state irrespective of the ambient air temperature.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of a train service system 100. The train service system 100 may be installed near a railroad track. The train service system 100 may be installed in a repair or servicing yard and may be used to melt snow and ice which has collected on a train located on the railroad track. For example, the train service system 100 may be located in a repair or servicing yard at or near a geographical region that experiences sub-zero temperatures. As will be described below, the train service system 100 may be used to pass heated water over the accumulated snow and ice in order to remove the snow from the train.

The train service system 100 includes a supply line, which may be referred to as a recirculating line 102. This supply line includes a water inlet 104 through which water is received from a water supply 106. The water supply 106 may be a domestic water supply.

The water that is received from the water supply 106 is heated by a heater 110 and the heated water is passed to a plurality of water outlets 112 that are located near the railroad track. The water outlets 112 are attached to hoses 114, such as rubber hoses, which are flexible, allowing an operator to move the hoses to direct the water towards accumulated ice or snow on a train. The hoses 114 are, in at least some embodiments, between 10 and 25 feet in length. At least a portion of one or more of the hoses may be thermally insulated to reduce heat loss and, in at least some embodiments, to protect the operator.

While a single water outlet 112 is illustrated in FIG. 1, the train service system 100 may include a plurality of water outlets 112 each strategically located near the railroad track. To illustrate one possible orientation, reference will briefly be made to FIG. 2 which shows an overhead view of a possible embodiment of the train service system 100.

A portion of the recirculating line 102 runs adjacent to a railroad track 202 and, in the example, parallel to the railroad track 2021. This portion of the recirculating line 102 may be insulated to reduce heat loss. A plurality of water outlets 112 coupled to the recirculating line 102 are located adjacent the railroad track 202. More particularly, in at least some embodiments, a distance 210 between the water outlets 112 and the railroad track is less than ten (10) feet. In at least some embodiments, a distance 210 between the water outlets 112 and the railroad track is less than forty (40) feet. The distance 210 may be greater in other embodiments. It will be understood that hose length of the hoses 114 may be adjusted based on the distance 210 between the water outlet 112 and the railroad track 202 so that the hose is able to reach the railroad track 202.

In the embodiment illustrated, there are four water outlets 112 shown, each spaced at regular intervals 212 and each connected to a hose 114. However, the number of water outlets 112 and associated hoses 114 may be different in other embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, at least three water outlets 112 are connected to the recirculating line 102 and are spaced at regular intervals 212. In such an embodiment, at least three hoses may be used, each connected to a separate one of the water outlets 112. In one embodiment, seventeen (17) water outlets 112 are coupled to the recirculating line 102 and are spaced at regular intervals along the recirculating line, each coupled to an associated hose 114.

The water outlets 112 may be spaced at intervals 212 of twenty-five meters or more in some embodiments. That is, each water outlet 112 may be separated from its nearest neighboring water outlet 112 by at least twenty five (25) meters.

A train 204 is stopped in a position on the railroad track 202 in which a plurality of the water outlets 112 coupled to the recirculating line are adjacent to the train 204. In this position a plurality of the water outlets 112 may be located within forty feet (40) of the train 204, for example.

The hose 114 is of sufficient length to allow water expelled from the hose 114 to reach the train 204. As will be described below, the water is expelled from the hose 114 in substantially liquid form. That is, the hose 114 expels liquid water and not steam. The water outlets 112 and/or the hoses 114 are equipped with a valve which allows an operator to selectively cause water to be expelled from an associated hose 114. That is, the valve (not shown) allows an operator to turn on or off the water flow from a hose as desired. The valve may, in some embodiments, permit the operator to control the rate of flow of the water through the associated hose 114.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a heater 110 heats water in the recirculating line 102 to between one hundred and fifty (150) and one hundred and ninety five (195) degrees Fahrenheit. The heater 110 is configured to only heat the water to a peak temperature which may be one hundred an ninety five degrees in an embodiment so that the water remains substantially in liquid form and is not converted into steam.

As noted above, when a hose 114 is activated (e.g., by controlling a valve associated with that hose of the water outlet 112 to which that hose is attached), the hose 114 expels water. However, a portion of the water that is heated by the heater 110 may not be expelled from one of the hoses 114 and may, instead, be recirculated in the recirculating line 102. In at least some embodiments, a recirculating pump 130 is coupled inline with the recirculating line 102 and is used to pump water through the recirculating line 102.

The heater 110 includes a boiler 250. The boiler 250 may be powered using any source of energy including, for example, electric or natural gas. The boiler 250 is a closed vessel which heats water in a primary loop 252. The water in the heater 110 does not exit the closed vessel but rather is continually recirculated and heated. To facilitate such recirculation, a primary loop pump 254 is provided inline with the boiler 250. The primary pump 254 circulates the water continually. The primary loop pump 254 may be configured to circulate the water at a constant rate which is determined based on the rated specification for the boiler 250.

The primary loop 252 is located primarily within the boiler 250. That is, the primary loop 252 passes through the boiler 250 so that the water contained in the primary loop 252 is heated.

In at least some embodiments, a secondary loop 256 may be coupled with the primary loop 252 and may be used to move heated water from the primary loop 252 further away from the boiler 250. More particularly, the secondary loop 256 may be used to cause the heated water to be provided to a heat exchanger 260. That is, the secondary loop 256 passes heated water from the primary loop 252 to the heat exchanger 260. The heat exchanger 260 transmits thermal energy from the heater 110 to the recirculating line. That is, thermal energy from the heated water of the primary loop 252 and secondary loop 256 is passed to the water in the recirculating line 102 by the heat exchanger 260. The heat exchanger may be a plate heat exchanger in at least some embodiments.

The heater 110 may include a secondary loop pump 258 which is coupled with the secondary loop 256 and which circulates water through the secondary loop 256. The secondary loop pump 258 causes the secondary loop 256 to draw hot water as needed from the primary loop 252.

The primary loop and the secondary loop may also be referred to as lines; for example, a primary line and secondary line.

The secondary pump 258 may be controlled by a controller which may be connected to a temperature sensor (which may be provided in a temperature transmitter). The temperature sensor is located to sense the water temperature in a line associated with the boiler (e.g., the secondary loop 256) or in the recirculating line 102. Based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, the controller may adjust the pump 258 to draw hot water from the primary loop 252 into the secondary loop 256 as needed. That is, the controller may control the secondary loop pump 258 to maintain a desired set point temperature.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrates a heating unit 304 which may be provided in the train service system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The heating unit 304 includes the heater 110 described above (including, for example, the boiler 250, the heat exchanger 260, one or more loops or lines such as the primary loop 252 and/or secondary loop 258, one or more pumps 254, 258).

The heating unit 304 also includes other electrical components which may be used to control the heater 110. For example, the heating unit includes one or more controllers 320. The controller 320 may, for example, be a processor. While the controller 320 is illustrated as a separate block from the heater 110, in practice, one or more of the controllers may be provided integrally within a component of the heater. For example, the boiler 250 or secondary loop pump 258 may include a controller 320.

The controller 320 may include memory which stores processor-executable instructions which configure the controller 320 to perform the operations described herein.

The controller 320 is communicatively coupled with one or more temperature sensors. The temperature sensors may be provided, for example, in a temperature transmitter.

In an embodiment, the controller 320 is coupled to an ambient air temperature sensor 350 which is configured to obtain an ambient air temperature. That is, the ambient air temperature sensor 350 is configured to obtain an outside air temperature.

The controller 320 (which may be on-board the boiler, for example,) is, in at least some embodiments, configured to control the heater 110 based on the ambient air temperature. That is, the controller is configured to select a desired set point temperature for the heater based on the ambient air temperature. The controller 320 causes the heater 110 to heat water (in the primary loop, the secondary loop and/or the recirculating line) to a first level if the air temperature is a first temperature and to a second temperature if the air temperature is a second temperature. The second temperature is higher than the first temperature and the first level is higher than the second level. Both the first level and the second level are less than one hundred and ninety five (195) degrees Fahrenheit. More specifically, the controller 320 is configured to maintain the water in a substantially liquid state irrespective of the ambient air temperature. However, as the air temperature increases, the water temperature decreases and, as the air temperature decreases, the water temperature increases. The controller 320 may be configured to maintain the water at no more than 195 degrees Fahrenheit irrespective of the air temperature.

In at least some embodiments, the controller 320 is coupled with and controls the boiler. More particularly, the controller 320 may change the set point of the boiler based on the ambient air temperature. The relationship between ambient air temperature and water temperature is inverse; as the air temperature drops, the water temperature increases and as the air temperature increases, the water temperature decreases. The water temperature is only increased to a predetermined threshold, which may be programmed into the controller. When this threshold is reached, the water will not be increased any further even if the air temperature drops further. The threshold is, in at least some embodiments 195 degrees Fahrenheit or less.

A controller 320 may be coupled with a water temperature sensor 360. The water temperature sensor is configured to sense a water temperature in a line associated with the boiler (e.g., the secondary loop) or in the recirculating line. The controller 320 may use data from the water temperature sensor 360 in order to maintain the temperature at a desired set point. The desired set point may, for example, be variable and may depend on the ambient air temperature as noted above. The set point may be maintained, for example, by controlling the boiler or by controlling the secondary loop pump, or both.

Thus, in at least some embodiments, the water temperature sensor 360 and the ambient air temperature sensor may be used together by one or more controller 320. The controllers 320 may use the ambient air temperature sensor in order to determine a desired water temperature and may use the water temperature sensor 360 to maintain the desired water temperature.

The heating unit 320 will include other components not specifically illustrated in FIG. 3 such as, for example, a power interface for connecting to a power supply.

Certain adaptations and modifications of the described embodiments can be made. Therefore, the above discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A train service system comprising: a recirculating line having a water inlet for receiving water from a water supply into the recirculating line and a plurality of water outlets, three or more of the water outlets being located within forty feet of a railroad track; a heater heating the water in the recirculating line to between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and 195 degrees Fahrenheit; and three or more hoses connected to the three or more of the water outlets located within forty feet of the railroad track.
 2. The train service system of claim 1, further comprising: an ambient air temperature sensor for obtaining an ambient air temperature; and a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and the heater, the controller configured to control the heater based on the ambient air temperature to heat the water to a first level if the air temperature is a first temperature and to a second temperature if the air temperature is a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature and the first level being higher than the second level.
 3. The train service system of claim 2, wherein both the first level and the second level are less than 195 degrees Fahrenheit.
 4. The train service system of claim 1, wherein the heater comprises: a boiler; a primary loop for containing water heated by the boiler; and a heat exchanger transmitting thermal energy to the recirculating line.
 5. The train service system of claim 4, wherein the heater further comprises: a secondary loop coupled with the primary loop, the secondary loop passing heated water to the heat exchanger.
 6. The train service system of claim 5, wherein the heater comprises a pump coupled with the secondary loop for circulating water through the secondary loop.
 7. The train service system of claim 1 further comprising: a temperature sensor configured to sense a water temperature in a line associated with a boiler of the heater or in the recirculating line; and a controller coupled with the heater and the temperature sensor, the controller maintaining the temperature in the line associated with the boiler or in the recirculating line at a selected temperature between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and 195 degrees Fahrenheit.
 8. The train service system of claim 7, further comprising: a temperature sensor receiving an ambient air temperature, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the selected temperature based on the ambient air temperature.
 9. The train service system of claim 1, wherein the three or more water outlets are separated from one another by at least 25 meters.
 10. The train services station of claim 1 wherein the heater is configured to heat the water in the recirculating line such that the water remains substantially in liquid form within the recirculating line.
 11. A heating unit for heating water in a recirculating line that distributes water within a train service system, the heating unit comprising: a heater including a line for carrying water; a temperature sensor receiving an ambient air temperature; and a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and the heater, the controller configured to control the heater based on the ambient air temperature and wherein the controller is configured to maintain the water in the line in a substantially liquid state irrespective of the ambient air temperature.
 12. The heating unit of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to control the heater based on the ambient air temperature to heat the water to a first level if the air temperature is a first temperature and to a second temperature if the air temperature is a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature and the first level being higher than the second level.
 13. The heating unit of claim 12, wherein both the first level and the second level are less than 195 degrees Fahrenheit.
 14. The heating unit of claim 11, wherein the line is a secondary loop coupled with a primary loop, the primary loop coupled to a boiler, the secondary loop passing heated water to the heat exchanger.
 15. The heating unit of claim 14, further comprising a pump coupled with the secondary loop for circulating water through the secondary loop.
 16. The heating unit of claim 11 further comprising: a temperature sensor configured to sense a water temperature in a line associated with the heater or in the recirculating line; a controller coupled with the temperature sensor configured to sense the water temperature in the line associated with the heater, the controller maintaining the temperature in the line associated with the heater or in the recirculating line at a selected temperature between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and 195 degrees Fahrenheit. 